The deadline for the decommissioning of rebel weapons and withdrawal of Indonesian forces was the end of the year, but the 2,150 police who left on Thursday had been waiting since Saturday for a ship to take them home.

Before the peace deal was signed, Indonesia had more than 35,000 soldiers and 15,000 police in the province.

Some 14,700 soldiers and 9,100 police remain in Aceh, all of whom are locals.

Former rebels have handed in more than 800 weapons to international monitors.

Under the peace deal agreed in August, the rebels dropped their demand for full independence in return for more autonomy for the province, which lies at the northern tip of the island of Sumatra.

Analysts say the next challenges are to find jobs for the former rebel fighters and satisfy their goal of political participation.

Under the terms of the agreement, Gam should be allowed to form a local political party, but that requires a change in the law which must be approved by parliament in Jakarta.